Allegations Mount Over Home Minister Sudhan Gurung’s Undisclosed Investments and Asset Declarations

Kathmandu. Home Minister Sudhan Gurung has come under increasing scrutiny on social media following reports detailing his business partnership and undisclosed share investments with controversial businessman Deepak Bhatt, who is currently in custody on charges of illicit asset accumulation and money laundering.

Gurung, who rose to fame as a leading figure in the ‘Gen Z’ movement advocating transparency and good governance, now faces serious ethical questions. According to reports, Home Minister Sudhan Gurung invested in promoter shares worth NPR 2.5 million each, totaling to NPR 5 million in two micro-insurance companies, Star Micro Insurance and Liberty Micro Insurance. These companies are reportedly associated with the Deepak Bhatt group, which is currently under investigation by the Department of Money Laundering Investigation​

Widespread questions have intensified as Home Minister Gurung is said to have not disclosed these investments in his official asset declaration.

Further, a report by Setopati indicates that Gurung purchased shares worth NPR 5,335,580 in NRN Infrastructure and Investment Limited through Naasa Securities on the secondary market, with transactions occurring as recently as five days before his appointment as Home Minister.

In a Facebook post, Setopati editor Amit Dhakal stated that investing in the stock market is not a criminal act, but raised concerns over the source of funds behind what he described as a substantial share investment by Home Minister Gurung. Dhakal further questioned why these holdings were not included in Gurung’s official asset declaration, particularly the alleged founder shares worth NPR 5 million. 

Separately, Narayan Gaule also raised concerns on Facebook, claiming inconsistencies in public statements regarding Gurung’s property ownership. He argued that while large industries with significant turnover, tax contributions, and employment generation operate transparently, similar clarity is lacking in Gurung’s case. He pointed to reported interactions with NGOs and intermediaries, as well as unexplained profits, suggesting that these circumstances raise questions about potential conflicts of interest. He added that if a public official under scrutiny maintains undisclosed business partnerships and assets beyond legal limits, it could raise concerns about the nature of policy decisions made in office.

Similarly, journalist Rajendra Baniya has questioned whether citizens are being misled and raised concerns about the moral accountability of the government. Sarita Tiwari has demanded public clarification regarding alleged irregular and non-transparent earnings. Meanwhile, youth leader of the Nepal Communist Party, Ramprasad Sapkota (Dipshikha), has posted sarcastic commentary regarding recent revelations about investment activities linked to Home Minister Gurung. Hemant Giri, associated with the Rastriya Swatantra Party, has also urged the party to investigate the matter internally and take action if necessary.

The issue has also sparked debate in online discussion forums, including the Reddit community r/NepalSocial. A user named “Chandragrahan” claimed that Gurung’s wealth at the age of 38 was unrealistic and that his organization ‘Hami Nepal’ is associated with the Shankar Group. Other users including “Puzzleheaded_Cry1995” have called for greater transparency regarding the source of his assets. At the same time, some participants have defended him, arguing that joint investments alone does not imply wrongdoing and cautioning against accusations without verified evidence. 

Some users, however, have defended him. Accounts such as “junsui833” and “shirshakm” argued that joint investment does not in itself imply criminal conduct, emphasizing that accusations should not be made without verified evidence. Another user, “sudin36”, clarified that the land near Fewa Lake was not purchased but leased. 

On the other hand, an organization named Gen-Z Movement issued a press statement asserting that the allegations raised against Home Minister Gurung amount to a ‘conflict of interest.’ The group has called for his immediate dismissal and demanded an impartial investigation by the government led by Balen Shah.

Despite the growing number of public questions and alleged evidence circulating in the media, Home Minister Gurung has largely remained silent on specific allegations. In response to earlier concerns over his asset declaration, he made an emotional remark stating, “Being born poor is not a fault, dying poor is,” but has not yet provided a detailed explanation regarding the legal source of his investments.

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